The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) congratulates Members of Parliament (MPs) from all three major political parties for coming together to form an Entrepreneur Caucus. Today marked the inaugural meeting of the Caucus in Ottawa and included a presentation from CFIB on findings from a recent pre-budget survey and a list of recommendations for the 2013 budget.

“On behalf of Canada’s small business community, I am thrilled that MPs are working to put aside political differences to focus on ways to support the country’s two-million entrepreneurs,” said CFIB president and CEO Dan Kelly. “CFIB was very proud to have a group of our top representatives – our President’s Circle – meet with MPs today to share examples of national issues affecting small businesses across the country.”

Based on survey data from small business owners, CFIB recommends 18 specific actions the federal government could take to assist entrepreneurs. CFIB’s top six recommendations for Budget 2013 include:

Extending the Employment Insurance hiring credit for small businesses and expand it to include businesses with up to $15,000 in EI premiums;

Lowering the small business corporate tax rate;

Indexing the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) to inflation;

Staying focused on eliminating the deficit by 2015/2016 or earlier; and

Making further reforms to public sector pensions.

CFIB recommended the creation of an Entrepreneur Caucus and was pleased to receive support for the idea from Conservatives, New Democrats and Liberals. Conservative MP Chris Warkentin and New Democrat MP Glenn Thibeault will co-chair the Caucus.